Created by Developmental English Department, STCC Spring 2001 An Overview of the Thea or accuplacer Writing Test "Success is the sum of small efforts--repeated

Created by Developmental English Department, STCC

Spring 2001

An Overview of the

Thea or accuplacer Writing Test

"Success is the sum of small efforts--repeated day in and day out." (Robert Collier)


Spring 2001

Table of contents

Part 1: Contents of TASP writing test Part 2: Seven characteristics of TASP

writing Part 3: How is the test scored? Part 4: Example of multiple choice

questions Part 5: Essay tips


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Part 1: Contents of TASP writing test


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The TASP writing test is composed of . . . Forty multiple choice questions about

different grammatical and stylistic problems

Also you must write a 350 to 500 word persuasive essay.


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Part 2: Seven Characteristics of TASP writing test


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Seven Characteristics Content and

Structure1.Appropriateness

2.Unity and focus

3.Organization

4.Development

Language 5.Sentence

structure

6.Usage

7.Mechanical conventions


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Appropriateness Purpose and audience

Appropriate style


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Unity and Focus Thesis statement

Supporting points

or reasons


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Organization Coherence

a.Transition phrases

b.Ordering of ideas


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Development Adequate examples

Specific examples


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Sentence Structure Fragments Run-ons Subject and verb agreement Pronoun reference Faulty modification Faulty parallelism


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Usage Word choice Adjective, adverbs and pronouns Tense agreement Shift in person Misuse of negative Ineffective repetition


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Mechanical conventions Spelling

Capitalization

Punctuation

Handwriting


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Part 3: How is the writing test scored?


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Essay part Step one: Two readers score your essay. You can earn

from 1 to 4 points, 1 the lowest score and 4 the highest.Step two: The two scores are totaled. Step three: This means you may score a total of from 2 to 8

points on the essay part. Step four:If you score 2-3-or 4, you have failed the exam.If you score 6-7-or 8, you have passed the exam.Step five (if necessary) :If you score a 5, the multiple

choice part of the test will be scored. If you score a 220 or above, you have passed. 200 or below you have failed.


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When writing the essay, keep in mind that . . .

The readers will be considering whether or not you have successfully met the seven characteristics.


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Part 4: Example of multiple choice questions


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1In addition to being one of the world’s most vital food crops; rice is used to meet a broad range of needs. 2 The Japanese make an alcoholic beverage called sake from it, and brewers sometimes use it to make beer. 3 Equally important are the plant’s by-products. 4In some regions, farmers use rice bran, the brown skin surrounding a kernel, as a livestock feed.5 Other people extract oil from the bran to make soap and margarine. 6 Rice grains also have rough outer shells, its hulls, that serve as an inexpensive fuel in many places. 7 Even dried rice stalks have their uses. 8Many Asians use them to make hats and sandals, and to thatch the roofs of their homes.

1. Which one, if any, of the following changes is needed in the above passage? A. Part 1: Change the semicolon after “crops” to a comma B. Part 4: Delete the comma after “bran.” C. Part 8: Change the comma after “sandals” to a colon D. None of these changes is needed

2. Which of the following parts of the passage displays nonstandard usage? A. Part 2 B. Part 3 C. Part 6 D. Part 7


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Once again, keep in mind, as with the essay, . . .

All of the multiple choice questions, will be based on the seven characteristics.


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Part 5: Essay Tips


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The essay must be persuasive.

A. You are trying to convince an audience, usually a teacher or government official, of some particular issue.

B. You must take a position: for or against. Do not argue for both.


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When you take the TASP writing exam, you will be given a prompt based on which you will write your essay. But what is a prompt?Prompt defined: A paragraph that contains the

information for you to write your essay. The prompt usually consists of four parts: Part one: The question Part two: One side of an argument Part three: The opposing side of an

argument Part four: Directions


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Sample Prompt: Children killing children is all too common today. More

often than not, a handgun is used as a weapon. Should guns be made illegal? Some people believe that we should make guns illegal because they feel that the number of accidental shootings would decrease, the streets would be safer, and people would be less likely to harm loved ones in moments of anger. Other people believe that making guns illegal would infringe on citizens’ rights to bear arms, leave innocent people no means of protecting themselves and their property, and allow crime to increase since only the criminals would find ways to get the guns. Write an essay of 350-500 words for an academic audience in which you take a position on the preceding issue. Support your position with logical arguments and appropriate examples.


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Sample Prompt broken down into parts. Question: Children killing children is all too common today. More often

than not, a handgun is the weapon used. Should guns be made illegal?

Proponents: Some people believe that we should make guns illegal because

they feel that the number of accidental shootings would decrease, the streets would be safer, and people would be less likely to harm loved ones in moments of anger.

Opponents: Other people believe that making guns illegal would infringe on

citizens’ rights to bear arms, leave innocent people no means of protecting themselves and their property, and allow crime to increase since only the criminals would find ways to get the guns.

Directions: Write an essay of 350-500 words for an academic audience in

which you take a position on the preceding issue. Support your position with logical arguments and appropriate examples.


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Last words about prompt.A. Make sure you understand the prompt before you start writing. B. You may use the reasons provided in the prompt in your own essay to form your argument. C. However, do not copy sentences directly from the prompt onto your own

essay. Put the ideas into your own words.


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The essay must be 5 paragraphs long


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Introductory paragraphA. Must be at least 50 words in length,

three sentencesB. Remember this is the most important

paragraph of the essayC. You need to revise and check the

paragraph at least 3 times


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In the introductory paragraph, you will . . .

A. Briefly introduce topic

B. Clearly state position

C. State reasons


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The thesis sentence is the most important sentence of the

essay. Example . . . I believe smoking should be banned in

all public parks because ____,____, and ___.


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Example of introductory paragraph . . .

Tragic, fatal newspaper headlines announce the consequences of people’s drinking and driving. Some people learn a valuable lesson from their first DWI experience. However, those individuals with second drinking offenses should be imprisoned because these drivers are posing life threats to themselves and others; they are the causes of extensive property damage, and they are blatantly disregarding the law. (58 words)


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The body paragraph must be

at least 6-8 sentences, or 80

words, Minimum!


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In the body paragraphs you will . . .

A. Provide specific examples

1. Tell a very short, illustrative story

2. State facts or statistics


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Example of body paragraph . . .

First of all, many fatal accidents involving drinking and driving are caused by the inability of the drivers to make sound judgments. This limitation leads to many potentially dangerous situations. Reactions of these drivers are slower than normal, and consequently, they are unable to avoid accidents. Most of these accidents cause bodily injury to the drivers as well as their passengers. The most tragic situation occurs when the person drinking and driving causes the death of some innocent motorists or pedestrians. Innocent lives are ended, and still others are left handicapped because of drinking and driving offenders, many of whom are repeat offenders. (100)


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Like the introductory paragraph, the concluding

paragraph must be 4 sentences , 50 words,

Minimum!


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Example of conclusion . . .

In conclusion, individuals caught drinking and driving a second time should be imprisoned. They have placed themselves and others in serious danger, taken the risk of causing extensive property damage, and shown little respect for the law. These drivers should suffer the serious consequences of imprisonment.

They do not deserve any more chances.(46 )


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Some final pointers . . .

A. The essay is the most important part of the writing test.

B. So, write the essay first -- then do the multiple choice.

C. After you are done with multiple choice, go back and revise the essay one last time.


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Things you should not do on the essay. If you do any of these things, more than likely you will not pass.

Argue both for and against Never state your position Repeat yourself excessively Write off topic Copy sentences directly from prompt


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P.S., Post Script . . .A.Watch your handwriting!B.Printing is acceptable C.No one likes to eat on a messy

table; likewise, no one wants to read a messy essay. This could make the difference between passing and failing.


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Last words:No matter what happens, remain CALM.

If you lose your cool, you lose everything!Good Luck!


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AssignmentPlease go to the main Blackboard page and go to the Essay assignment icon for the week’s writing assignment. Mr g

Documents

Created by Developmental English Department, STCC Spring 2001 An Overview of the Thea or accuplacer Writing Test "Success is the sum of small efforts--repeated